Just had a thoughtful exchange with one of the brilliant freelancers in my network, and it echoed something I’ve been hearing a lot lately: The UK job market is a real mixed bag and a cooled freelance marketplace.
And honestly? I’m seeing the same.
The market has been the toughest I’ve seen, sluggish, delayed sign-offs, and tighter budgets across the board. But interestingly, some talent have stayed busy throughout. So what’s behind that?
I started digging into a few questions:
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Are clients starting to ask for AI expertise in briefs more often?
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What AI-related skills or tools should creative freelancers be adding to their CVs?
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Are there any AI courses or certifications brands actually care about?
I’d love to know:
👉 Have you seen a rise in AI-focused briefs?
👉 Are you upskilling in AI tools like Midjourney, ChatGPT, or Runway?
👉 Do clients care about AI fluency, or are they still trying to figure it out?
In the meantime, a lot of us are pushing through the slower seasons, but I’m optimistic things will pick up again come 2026. If you're a freelancer, permalancer or contractor, now’s a good time to:
✅ Update your CV/portfolio
✅ Refresh your skills
✅ Check in with your network
✅ Consider an AI lens on your offering
Drop me a message if you’re available, or if you just fancy a market catch-up.
Stay strong out there!
